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When I met Tim Ferriss (yes, that’s a flex), I was curious to know what he considered the single greatest contributor to his success. His answer? Meditation. At first, I was disappointed. Meditation never seemed relevant to me, especially with my ADHD and a mind that’s always racing. But I couldn’t shake the thought that if it worked for someone like Tim, maybe there was something to it that I was missing.
So, I decided to experiment with it, but in true creative fashion, I started small. Just 30 seconds of closing my eyes and focusing on my breath. No pressure, no expectations. Those 30 seconds were hard at first—my mind would wander, and sitting still felt unnatural. But I stuck with it, gradually increasing the time until I worked up to 20 minutes. It wasn’t a daily practice, but several times a week, I’d carve out a few minutes to just breathe and be still.
Why It Matters:
As creatives, our minds are our greatest tools, but they can also be our biggest obstacles. The constant flood of ideas, the pressure to innovate, and the inevitable self-doubt can lead to anxiety, stress, and burnout. Meditation offers a way to calm the chaos, to step back and gain perspective.
What really blew my mind was the residual impact of meditation. I self-experimented, tracking how I felt on days when I meditated versus when I didn’t. I found that the effects of a single session could last up to two weeks. There was a day when everything was going wrong—work, personal life, you name it—but instead of spiraling into anxiety or a panic attack, I was cool, calm, and collected. The only thing that had changed? I had meditated almost two weeks earlier for just ten minutes.
The Creative Edge:
Meditation isn’t just about finding calm—it’s about harnessing that calm to fuel your creativity. I’ve also experimented with motivational meditation, where I focus entirely on one project that I need to get done. It’s been a game-changer for productivity, helping me zero in on the task at hand with clarity and intent.
For creatives, meditation can be a powerful tool to manage the mental whirlwind that comes with the territory. It’s not about shutting down your creativity; it’s about creating the mental space needed to let it flourish.
Takeaways:
- Start Small: Begin with just 30 seconds of focusing on your breath. Gradually increase the time as it becomes more comfortable.
- Experiment: Self-experiment to see how meditation impacts your creativity, focus, and stress levels. Track how you feel on days you meditate versus days you don’t.
- Use it as a Tool: Try motivational meditation to help you focus entirely on one specific project. It’s not just about calming your mind; it’s about directing your creative energy where it’s needed most.
Meditation has become one of the most impactful disciplines I’ve implemented. It didn’t change who I am; it enhanced how I work and how I navigate the inevitable chaos of creative life.
